Illuminated sign



n `ILLUMnwitrEn SIGN-r f lfifilliaiifiT("'ieilltilig and William DfKinsell,

` `c`ago,"lll. `,"assignors to Federal ElectricComffj" i iypany, Inc.,1Qliioago,iIll.,`a corporation New Applicaumjrjseptember 12Q`93`4 sraiiioxjzjiriiyl n o fisciiaj (Crm-#135i j e o e l r invention(relate'sin;V general toithe artnr` `enribodying thefsame will be perceived asthein w illumination,` the samehaving particular refer` vention ismmore fully iinderstoodiffromthe "fol-1 V i ence to illuminated advertisingordisplay devices lowing i description, whi ch, taken together `With fespecially well adapted for outdoor use.;1"jcl the aocomp` `"nying drawing, describes a preferred' i One of the-important objectsof our invention embodimentof our invention. i 5` istoprovide an illuminated display devicehav-1 Referringto the drawing:` u

ingareadilyremovable or interchangeablelegend `Figure 1 is a perspective` view,` partially insee` clearly visible `by `day andadaptedtowbe illumition,` illustrating` a. lamp shade and supporting natedingorder to render thesame highlyyvisible means embodying.ouripresent invention. 5 i lo at night, `:the invention more particularlycon-` Figure 2isa vertical section taken substantially 10 l templating allampshadehaving-iazportionypref-f along the line 2 2"in Figure 1 i. i

Xerably the sign-carrying portion, arrangedyfor x Figure 3 is a fragmentary view illustratinga l illumination bymeans' ofan incandescent lamp, detail of the device shown Figuresland 2. l and other. portions, preferably adjacent the :sign- Figures 4, 5, and `6 are perspective views ofelel `l. l cara:yingrportion;A arrangedfior` illumination by `mentsof the assembly shownl in Figures `1 and 2.1 l5

`meansfoi' a discharge `lamp wherebynovel and Figure 'l isa perspectiveview illustrating the eye-arresting effects may belfaccomplished byl parts. shown in Figures 4.1 5, and 6` when assem` utilizing a plurality ofdiii'erentkinds of lightin4 bled.` j 1 g e combinationvin the illuminated sign; `a `further Figure 8 is a sectionalview illustrating a modiobjectlbeing to provide: i"neans;.` preferably a pared arrangement of the `parts shown in Figure 5 20 titionywithinthellamplshade forl'rpreventing the and `showing the relationship or said modified "light produceclby` each lamplfromilluminating parts in the lamp shade. 1 l i theshadeportionsenclosing therotherr a still l lFigure `9 is a fragmentaryperspective view ot furthercobject` beingytomountthe lamps on the partsused in theA assembly shown in Figures i y partition. i y j e i y1. y and'2. t i q y f2.5 4:Another`object isto providealampshade com-i Toillustrate our invention,` we have `shown on prising an annular rim :"ofV translucentxmaterial the drawing a lamp shade 2| I, illuminating means.` and elongated discharge lamp means disposed supportmeans I5 for mountingrthe illuminating within said rim `forrthe purpose `of illuminating; means inthe lamp shade, anda mounting Il for thesame;iaurther.objectbeingnto provide rer supporting theshadeand includingelectrical de- 30 rnovablesignV plates mountedfon'therim together vicesfor energizing the illuminating means. with means to `sealthe sign plates to the rim in u The lamp assemblyischaracterized by` the in- V order toprevent"the entry into the lamp shade clusion of illuminating means, preferably atdis'l` y l @1 oflforeign matter,` such as dirt and atmospheric charge lamp or lamps lISmremovably mounted 35 moisture; i i l l within the lamp shade. `The assembly also in-` 35 Still another important1 Objectis to provide a` corporates.sigrn-carryingy plates: or members 2L `lamp `shade having afdischarge lamp mounted preferably `removably arranged in the lamp shade i therein in combinationwithlan adapter1 embodyin position to beilluminated by additional illumiing aitransformer and. having means ,tofreceive `natirig'-"meanswpreferably` anv incandescent lamp `andfsupport` the lamp, .said. adapterbeingsar- 2i` carriedwithinthe shade for the purpose of 40 l ranged `forassemblylfon` alstandard lampshade; increasingthe nocturnal visibility ofthesigns".` rsupportso thatfthe shade containingthe dis` Inorder tofacilitate assembly,` reduce"manu` charge lampylmaywbe mountedl onl and thelamp` facturing costs, and;` at` the same time, provide: operated 'from a'support ofrstandardoonstruca lamp shade containing a discharge.lampre-` i 46 tin, f in w l movablywmounted` therein so as to permit re-*5 Ai further-object isi to arrangethe shade .vsoplacement of thelamp in the shadelwithout dis-- i "that: gighsmf- `anyldesirecl `character may beturbing the` mountedposition ofpthe shadeand` `mounted"thereonfand removed Withoutdisturbthus `provide a commercially feasible lamp asi l" ing the discharge lamp. l sembly, theylamp shade preferably comprises ant 50 A` still" further obiectis-to form a lamp shade annular rim 25 of? suitable translucent material; 50 j to facilitatethe removal andfreplacementof the` suchas glass, the rimgpreferafbly fqgmlngmnsmy L discharge lampi means without materially-i` dis `wardly opening troughZl adapted to receivethe turbingthe lamp" shade or1its;`rnounting. discharge `lamps I9. `The rim also is iormedlwith..

i `IIumerous.otherobiects, advantages,` `and in-` an opening 26,\whicl i is or may he]definedjby4 55 herent functions of the invention and devices j a neck Zlwwhereby the shade may be mounted 55u ony a'support. 'Ir'he opposed side edges of the rim ion. The V4snzn-oirryum' plates or windows 2| may. of course, be secured in place upon the rim 25 in any suitable way, but we prefer to the same, in readily detachable fashion, as by means of removable holding members 291 adapted to engage the contacting ledgesA ofthe platesli and the rim 25.' To this fend.'the` rim 25 has depressions 3|, preferably'in thelfo'rm of; annular Agrooves arranged adjacent the seats 21, and the holding members 29 comprise preferably i metallic strips of ohannel-shapedcross-sectional conilgurationiadlpted to be applied to the en' n gg'ging edgesl of the plates 2| Yandthe rimr25 with ne edge of the strip seating in the groove 3| ,and another embracing fthe ,peripheral edge "oi a platey 2|.

`'ably' screwthreadedmeans forfclamping the The strips` 29fare providedfat their opposite ends withiinter-engaging,pref-v same in plate-holding'fposition.v To this end,

kthe strips2'liinay"each-be provided with per` forat'ed-ilugs 33 adapted' to'receive a screw 35' and a nut'31 so thatby tightening fthe screw inthe nut, `the fastening strip"'may be tightly clamped in position to"hold the -plate snugly upon the seat- 21`and -to substantially seal the plates upon the rim 25 thus ensuring `the exclusion` of h dirt, moisture,` and other. foreign matter from the @interior oi-the lamplshade.; f

*The rim 25 is also formedfwith inwardly facing annular shoulders 31 adaptedto receive and support the lamp carrying means I5, which preferably comprises 'annularlyarranged sheet metal 1 means having portions adapted to expand within andsnuglyengage the` spaced apart seats 131.' The mounting means '|5'preferably comprise av pair of curved opaque strips `39, keach Vof which is formed withperforations-M i'or thexpurpose of receiving discharge lamp supports 43, whichl extend'outwardlyof theistripfs` ini position to re oeive discharge lamp elements `45 andi. support ,the same in' spacedrelationship and outwardlyv off'the strips 39. Eachoithelampsv 45 is supported entirely by fone' of the strips andso may be assembled easily within' thelrim with its supporting strip when one Ior bothot xthe plates 2| is removed. Each strip'39 is .providedwith a cutout portion 41 1to1- permitvthe ends ofthe elements 45 to pass inwardlyot the strip, and each strip, adjacent said cutout portion,\,is provided withv flanges 49 l by which v the strips may: be -connected together.'r The opposite ends of the strips also `are provided` with. inwardly extending.- flanges 5|, andthe strips are of `such a length that when assembled within therimvwith the anges 4|: together,` the pangea-5| will be in spaced apart relationshipV when thestrips I9 snuglyen'gage `upovn theseat 31.1 -To maintain the strips v39.' in snug expanded.v engagement on the seats 31, we provide'ra spacing member 53 adapted for insertionf'between-the flanges 5| afterthe strips have beenassembled lwithinvthe rim so" as to maintain the spacedl :position of .the angeslthus holding the strips snugly on the seatsl 31. TheLendsfoftheeIernents 45, which extend/throughthefcutoutfportion 41` may be painted to prevent light `diiusion therethrough andare Velectricallyv connected together by means elements and 'their supporting strips have been assemmed within the rim z5. The opposite ends l of the elements 45 also extend inwardly of the strips through the space between the flanges 5| and may be connected in any suitable fashion to an external power source for the purpose of exciting thelamps 45. These ends are also preferably paintedfto-v prevent light diffusion therethrough. The supporting means I5 is preferably assembled in the rim with the spaced flanges 5| opposite the opening 25 to facilitate connec- .tion of the lamps with an external power source by means of cables passing from `thetinterior of the lamp 'shade' between the flanges 5| and thence'through the opening 25.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the lamps 45 may be quickly and easily assembledwithin the -rim outwardly of the annular support I5. One of the strips 39 is formed with an inwardly'extending lamp support 51, preferably comprising an arm secured at one end tothe strip 39 asfby means of rivets passing through perforations 59 formedin the strip and perforations 5| formed in the arm 51. The arm 51 extends .to and carries the lamp 23 preferably at: the approximate center of the support rI5. Thef'lamp 23 ris ypreferably an incandescent lamp removably .carried in a socketof any, preferred form, which socket, in turn, is secured on the support 51 'so that the lamp 23 comprises a light source `within the annularsupport I5 and vin 'positionto provide illumination'behind the `being anged to snugly rest upon one of the seats 31. Each ring maycarry one of the -lamps 45 mounted thereon rby means o f supports |43, andY since eachlarnp extends through but a part of the circumferenceof the-members |39.v the same can easily beV assembled'y in place, even though the lamps are curved ona diameter slightly larger` than the diameter of the seats 31.- Ii necessary, of course, each of thefannular members |39 may be formed as ansplit ring adapted to be ex- -panded within the rim y25 in a manner similar to that employed in `fitting thel members 39. Where themembers |39 are formed as split rims, it is possible to mount both lamps onone of the members |99, the other member `being merely insertedto assist in supporting theother in place, andto' shield the illumination produced by the lamps 45 from entering the portion of rthe lamp shade. behind the sign plates 2 I'. The inner edges of the members11|39 are provided with means for securingthe same ktogetherafter insertion in the rim 25 to thereby support thev lamps .in place.

In the illustrated construction, the annular support element I5 provides a shield for conilning the illumination created by the lamp means 45 within the rim Aand for confining the illumination produced by the lamp means 23 within the space behind thewslgn-supporting plates 2| so that the signs are illuminated primarily by means of thellamp 23, while an attractive sign border effect is produced by the discharge illumination created within-the rim 25xby the lamps 45. Since of a conductor 55 preferably applied after the' ,'fdischarge lamps be providedff-to produce illuminationt of` z any desired L color: characteristic dependingiuponthegaseousconduction medium,

it willbe'obvious that various attractive and eyearresting, border effectswmay `be` produced `by selecting lamps. 45-to produce light of a desired` color' characteristic within `the rim ofithe lamp shade, and it is`,:of course, withinthe contempla- Gil tion of ourpresent invention tomountaplurality `of lampson` each strip 39 and toprovideymeansfor intermittently or alternately energizing thelamps in order to :provide for flashing and/orlchanging colorlborder:effects.T f M 1, l

Lampsembodying our 'present inventionfare particularly `well, adapted for. use in connection i with the saleof products, such." as gasoline, and

we have therefore shown the lamp,` `inV Figure `1 of the drawing, mounted in a receptacle formed at thetupper endsof a gasoline `dispensing `pump casing 65. 'Ihe receptacle Gil` includes "an electrical poweroutlet socket 1i through which elec- .tricalpower from an external source may be delivered for energizing the lamps within theshade.

Inasmuch as the electrical power usually avail,` able, while of sufficient voltage to operate in-f` `candescent lamps, is` of vinsufficient voltage to operate certain forms oi.' discharge lamps, wev

may utilize an adapter 13 for energizing the lamps in the shade i I. prises a` casing having lower portions formed for `mounting the same in the support`61 and upper portions adapted to receive the neck 28 oi' the lamp shade. The adapter casing contains a` transformer 15,` the primary winding of which is adapted for detachable connection with the outlet socket 1I,` thev secondary winding of the transformer being detachablyconnectable with the discharge lamps by means of `a cable'11 extending through `the neck ofthe lamp shade.v The lnoandescent lamp 23 also is energized by means of a cable 19,which includes a vdetachable connection 8| and which extends through the neck 65 of the vlamp shade from the primary winding oi.' the transformer to the incandescent lamp 23.

Itis thought that `the invention and numerous of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form,

constructiom' and arrangementl oi.' the various parts, without departing from the spirit or scope of our invention and without sacrificing any of itsattendant advantages, the form herein described `being merely for the purpose of illustrating the invention, `and we donot desire to limit the inl vention'in any way to the particular construction shown.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure `by Letters Patent is as follows:

l. A lamp shade of translucent material comprising a portion forming a rim,` having an inwardly facing seat, a support mounted on said seat, and a discharge lamp carried on said support and extending within said rim.

2. A lamp shade of translucent material,

illuminating means located therein, a discharge lamp in said shade surrounding said, illuminating means, and an opaque partition between said lamp and illuminating means.

3. A lamp shade of translucent material comprising a portion forming a rim having an inwardly facing seat, support means mounted on said seat, and a discharge lamp within said rim and carried on and extending outwardly of said support.

The adapter 13 preferably com- 4, :Allamp shade of translucent `material comprlsingan annular portion forminga rim, having an inwardly-facing annularvseatannular support means adaptedto be expanded snugly within said seat, and lamp means carried by said support means.- w

i 15. A lamp shade of translucent material formed with aLtrough-like portion andhaving' a seat extending at the edge of saidtrough-like portion,

support means on saidseat and extendingacross saidltrough-like-lportion, and a lamp mounted on said "support means andextending within saidl within and supported by said rim, a lamp on said V'support and extending within said rim and outwardly of said sign supporting plate whereby to provide an illuminated plate border; and a lamp on said support behind said plate for the pur-- pose of illuminating signs supportedv thereby.` at,

8. A lamp shade of translucent material conprising a rim portion, a signsupporting plate secured to said rim portion, a lamp supporting member comprising partition means within said rim portion substantially opposite the peripheral edge vportions ot said plate, lamp means carried by and on one side ci said supporting member, said lamp means extending within said rim portion and outwardly of the` sign supporting plate, and additional lamp means carried by and on another side of said supporting member in position behind said sign supporting plate to illuminate signs supported thereby.

`9. The combination as set forth in claim 8, wherein thesign supporting plate and rim portion are formed as separate elements, and means t? detachablysecure the plate to the rim port on.

portion are formed as separate elements, and clamping means co-operatively associated with edge portions of the rim and plate for securing the same together. l

x11. The combination as set forth in `claim 8, wherein Vthe sign 'supporting plate and the rim portion are formed as separate elements, and a 1o. Thecombmatlon as set forth in claim ,al wherein the sign supporting plate and the rim channel-shaped strip embracing the edges of said plate and portions oi.' said rimfor the purpose of securing the plate toy the'rim.

12. A lamp shade of translucent material, u1uminating means located therein, a discharge lamp in said shade -surrounding said illuminating means, said discharge lamp emitting light diiering in color from said illuminating means, and an opaque partition between said lamp and said illuminating means.

13; A lamp shade of translucent material having an integral neck deflningan opening, a dis-` charge lampsupported within said lamp shade, means forming electrical connections extending through said opening, whereby `to` energize the lamp froman external electrical power source, in combination with an adapter comprising a casing, means on said casing adapted to receive the neck of the `lamp shade in order to support the lamp shadein operative position;` anda transformer rin said casing having a winding adapted for confprising an annular` trough-like rim having a neck defining a:y peripheral opening in .the rim, said rim vhaving inwardlyl i'acing .annular seats at its opposed edges; a partition forming a lamp sup.-

portcarried by and :between said seats, lamp meanson said support vandhaving portions extending outwardly .of saidsupport withinfsaid mush-like rim, sign supportingplates removably securedv to theovpositeqedgesoi said rim,'said lamp l support Aextending f substantially opposite the peripheral edges of said plates, lamp means carried by the lamp support and extending vinwardly .thereof between said plaies, and electrical connections extending through said neck forwthe purpose of energizing the lseveral lamp means from anexternai source of powen 15. A lamp shade having a portlonfonning a window and an adjacent translucent portion, a discharge lamp forming ,a source of illumination, and means forming an additional source of illumination within the shade, and guard means within the shade isolating the window from light rays emanating from one of said sources of illumination and confining the illuminating eilect of said source to saidA translucent portion.

16. Av lamp shade having a removable portion orminga windowand an adjacent translucent portion, a discharge lamp within the shade opposite the translucent portion, additional illuminating means within the shade opposite the window, and a guard supported within the shade and isolating the translucent portion from light rays emanating from said additional illuminating means and confining the illuminating effect o! the discharge' lamp to the translucent portion adia 

